Fiona Stafford

Fiona Stafford is a Professor of English at Oxford University and has been a leading voice amongst British authors for over a decade. She is best known for her works about the English language, including her critically acclaimed books, The Last Libation and Passionate Souls.

Stafford was born in Manchester, England, in 1965 and attended the University of Oxford to pursue a degree in English literature. She later went on to obtain an M.Phil. in English language and literature before becoming an Assistant Lecturer at Exeter College. She then went on to receive a Doctorate of Philosophy and was appointed Professor at Oxford in 2012.

Throughout her academic career, Stafford has written numerous works on the importance of language learning and the exploration of English expression. From historical and cultural aspects to sociological and personal reflections, Stafford’s works heavily explore the relationship between language and identity, as well as its role in shaping culture and national identity.

The Last Libation, published in 2000, is perhaps her most widely-read book. The novel is a contemporary exploration of death, regeneration and womanhood told through the eyes of four generations of an Abenaki family. It is told through an inventive blend of folktales, iconic imagery, and voices from all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Stafford’s narrative skillfully captures the essential rhythms of life, through poetry and prose, as her characters struggle to make sense out of the difficult and definitive deaths of their loved ones.

In Passionate Souls, published in 2006, Stafford takes an in-depth look at the power of words and the strength of the human spirit as she tells the extraordinary story of a man who transforms his life by learning both the Welsh and English languages. Compelling and uplifting, this novel follows a man as he scales the heights of personal ambition and at the same time rediscovers the joy of human connections he thought he had lost forever.

In her most recent endeavor, Speaking of Love, Stafford delves into the lives of those who have been forgotten by history and the power of language to connect, understand, and reconcile the world. In this poignant and timely novel, Stafford touches on themes such as reconciliation, family ties, and the value of shared language. Told from multiple perspectives and incorporating elements of history and myth, this work examines the power of language to bring people together, to remember and be remembered.

Throughout her diverse works, Stafford has demonstrated great skill in capturing the passion, sorrow, and joy that each of us experiences in life. Her works often include characters of varying backgrounds who are struggling with complex issues, while also uniting them in their power and resilience. Whether examining the significance of language in a contemporary setting or exploring the deep existential question of death in The Last Libation, Fiona Stafford’s work is insightful, thought-provoking and ultimately empowering.